Acting Speaker Victor Gaston will not run to succeed Mike Hubbard

The fallout from Speaker Mike Hubbard‘s decline and fallfrom atop Alabama’s state government continued this week.

Acting House Speaker Victor Gaston, widely speculated to be a candidate to replace his erstwhile superior, announced Wednesday evening he will not run in an upcoming special election to replace Hubbard.

“After careful thought and much prayerful consideration, I have decided that I will not be a candidate for Speaker of the House when the Alabama Legislature convenes again,” said Gaston, a Republican from Mobile.

“While I am deeply grateful to the constituents, colleagues, friends, and family who have encouraged me to seek the job, I do not feel God calling me in that direction,” Gaston continued.

The Speaker Pro Tem added that he would continue to direct his energies toward representing his House District 100, rather than focusing on taking the reins as Speaker.

“In my remaining time as Acting Speaker, I will work to ensure that the daily administrative functions of the House operate smoothly and that the body continues to have a steady hand guiding its course through sometimes turbulent waters,” said Gaston.

Gov. Robert Bentley has declared that a special election will be held on Sept. 13 to replace Hubbard in the Legislature.

Alabama Today will be the first place Alabamians of influence go for an inside look at breaking statewide, political and business news. Led by Apryl Marie Fogel, a political activist with over a decade of experience, the Alabama Today team includes freelance news reporters, as well as guest columnists from around the state.